How to Pamper Dry Skin in Winter

Skin Care Concerns

Ah, good old reliable winter! While there are lots of reasons why we love the season (holidays, FTW!), it also comes with its fair share of annoyances—like piles and piles of snow that make it difficult to ever leave your house. What’s more, colder weather can also do a number on your complexion. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), dry skin is pretty common this time of year—and that dryness can lead to your skin looking duller than it does during the warmer months. Womp, womp. But you don’t have to wait until spring to show off your pretty face. Instead, it’s time to pamper your skin with everything from cream facial cleansers and ultra-hydrating face moisturizers to the very way you fall asleep at night. Ready to perk up your dry skin in winter? Follow the skin care routine below and you’ll be well on your way.

dry skin tip #1: WASH YOUR FACE WITH A CREAM facial CLEANSER

If you have dry skin, a foaming cleanser may be too much for your skin type in winter. Instead, opt for a cream facial cleanser, like the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser. This gentle cream facial cleanser helps to remove all traces of makeup and impurities. It gently exfoliates dead skin cells on the surface and helps enhance skin smoothness and radiance. You can use it morning and night. To use, wet your face and lather the facial cleanser into wet hands. Massage it onto your skin and then rinse off.

dry skin tip #2: MOISTURIZE MORNING AND NIGHT

You know how important it is to moisturize regularly as part of your skin care routine—and if you have extra dry skin during the winter, you might want to consider swapping out your regular face moisturizer for a different one. In the morning, use a moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF, like the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Moisturizer SPF 30. Take other sun protection measures, too, including limiting your amount of time in the sun, seeking shade, and covering up exposed areas in long sleeves, pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses. Then at night, try the L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Extra Dry Skin, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water. This provides long-lasting hydration and helps to comfort skin. Apply it while your skin is still damp after cleansing to help lock in hydration.

dry skin tip #3: TRY A Face scrub

There’s just something about sugar scrubs that seem extra fancy. And it turns out that these face scrubs can have some pretty cool skin benefits. Try one of the following three face scrubs, all of which are formulated with three types of sugar. If you’re looking to smooth away dead skin cells while creating the appearance of a natural glow, try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Scrub. If you’re skin needs help going the extra mile to get silky smooth, try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Scrub. Or perhaps you fancy a deep clean that leaves your skin not only feeling soft but looking purified, too. In that case, try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Scrub Purify & Unclog Scrub.

dry skin tip #5: PUT THE KIBOSH ON STEAMY BATHS AND SHOWERS

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but taking a long, hot shower is not the best idea if you have dry skin. Yes, we know it might feel great while a blizzard rages on outside, but super-hot water can actually strip your skin of essential moisture. Not what you want when you’ve already got dry skin, right? Nope, we didn’t think so! As much as you may not want to do it, turn down the temps and wash off in lukewarm water instead. It might not be as enjoyable, but your skin will thank you in the long run!

dry skin tip #7: SHOW THE REST OF YOUR BODY SOME LOVE

It’s not just your face that needs moisturizing—if the skin on the rest of your body is dry, it’s important to moisturize it as well. After hopping out of the (lukewarm!) shower, apply a body lotion to damp skin. And along with a pair of gloves, keep a tube of hand cream in your purse so that you’re always well-equipped to deal with winter-related dryness!